I am not a Scotch drinker so I am looking for some help. It will be a gift for a friend. I know it would be easier to ask him what he would prefer but that kind of takes the surprise away. I would like to stay around the $150 to $250 price range.

Macallan 18yr is nice but a little bit 08/15.IF you would like to bring a Scotch that smells like a Scotch => Laphroaig 18! (price: around 100$)

Official tasting notes:- Colour: Bright gold. - Nose: At bottling strength, a soft toffee sweet, faintly spicy flavour counterbalances the trace of delicate phenols and fruit. There is an all encompassing smoothness when these are all brought together. Adding a touch of water allows the seaweed and salt to come through but not enough to overpower the vanilla and honey sweetness with just a trace of new mown hay and peat at the finish.- Body: An intense depth that is exceptionally balanced and warming.- Taste: An instant warming tang of smoke that fades into smooth floral scents and blends seamlessly into an oaky nuttiness and leaves a lasting sweetness on the taste. With a touch of water the peaty warmth fills the mouth but does not overshadow the sweet chocolate smoothness. This is balanced by the rich toffee taste and slowly fades into a delicate hint of heather and peat smoke.- Finish: Full bodied, long with a luxurious oily smoothness.

Originally posted by Spiritus:Macallan 18yr is nice but a little bit 08/15.IF you would like to bring a Scotch that smells like a Scotch => Laphroaig 18! (price: around 100$)

Official tasting notes:- Colour: Bright gold. - Nose: At bottling strength, a soft toffee sweet, faintly spicy flavour counterbalances the trace of delicate phenols and fruit. There is an all encompassing smoothness when these are all brought together. Adding a touch of water allows the seaweed and salt to come through but not enough to overpower the vanilla and honey sweetness with just a trace of new mown hay and peat at the finish.- Body: An intense depth that is exceptionally balanced and warming.- Taste: An instant warming tang of smoke that fades into smooth floral scents and blends seamlessly into an oaky nuttiness and leaves a lasting sweetness on the taste. With a touch of water the peaty warmth fills the mouth but does not overshadow the sweet chocolate smoothness. This is balanced by the rich toffee taste and slowly fades into a delicate hint of heather and peat smoke.- Finish: Full bodied, long with a luxurious oily smoothness.

=> 100% agree

There's Macallan before being sold to Suntory and after being sold Suntory. The "before" was considered one of the very best, if not the best Scotch by many experts.

As for Laphroaig, i'd first make sure the person likes the very peated stuff, before recommending this as a gift to anyone.

There is nothing in our intelligence that has not passed by the senses. (Aristoteles)

Originally posted by Spiritus:Macallan 18yr is nice but a little bit 08/15.IF you would like to bring a Scotch that smells like a Scotch => Laphroaig 18! (price: around 100$)

Official tasting notes:- Colour: Bright gold. - Nose: At bottling strength, a soft toffee sweet, faintly spicy flavour counterbalances the trace of delicate phenols and fruit. There is an all encompassing smoothness when these are all brought together. Adding a touch of water allows the seaweed and salt to come through but not enough to overpower the vanilla and honey sweetness with just a trace of new mown hay and peat at the finish.- Body: An intense depth that is exceptionally balanced and warming.- Taste: An instant warming tang of smoke that fades into smooth floral scents and blends seamlessly into an oaky nuttiness and leaves a lasting sweetness on the taste. With a touch of water the peaty warmth fills the mouth but does not overshadow the sweet chocolate smoothness. This is balanced by the rich toffee taste and slowly fades into a delicate hint of heather and peat smoke.- Finish: Full bodied, long with a luxurious oily smoothness.

=> 100% agree

There's Macallan before being sold to Suntory and after being sold Suntory. The "before" was considered one of the very best, if not the best Scotch by many experts.

As for Laphroaig, i'd first make sure the person likes the very peated stuff, before recommending this as a gift to anyone.

Came here to say this. Love Laphroig, but I wouldn't give an Islay to someone who I wasn't sure loved Islay. Even people who love Scotch, may not enjoy Islay.

Boardo... The 25 is unique and worth it. I was in Scotland recently (at the distillery)and they took us through the vertical.When tasted together the differences appear. There is also a very scarce bottling called TOITEACH that is also outstanding....